Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
肅 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
肅sùto pay respects; solemn, reverentx, 13 strokes, radical 肀
sù(su4) T4
  1. 1to pay respects; solemn, reverent
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

肅sù(su4)

The character 肅 (sù) conveys a sense of seriousness and respect, often used in contexts involving formality, such as paying respects during ceremonies or expressing solemnity. It reflects a deep reverence and is commonly associated with respectful behavior in both social and cultural situations.

Strokes13Radical肀
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, paying respect, especially during memorials or commemorative events, is deeply rooted in Confucian values, emphasizing the importance of honoring ancestors and maintaining solemnity.

Memory Tip

Imagine a solemn figure (the character 肅) standing upright and still, paying respects with a bow. The top part, 肉 (ròu), represents a body, while the bottom part, 𠂇, suggests a posture of humility, helping you remember that 肅 embodies reverence and respect.

Meanings of 肅

sù(su4)
1to pay respects; solemn, reverent
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 肅

肅Simplified
13Strokes
肀Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 肅

JasonAmy

Podcast: 肅

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 肅

Quick Contrast

严 (yán) vs 肅 (sù): use 肅 for formal respect and solemnity, while 严 conveys strictness or severity.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 肅 (sù) with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings, such as 速 (sù) meaning 'fast.' This word is more formal and should be used in respectful contexts, such as ceremonies or official communications.

HSK Study Tips

While 肅 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it relates to other characters about respect and formality, such as 敬 (jìng, to respect). Students should focus on the contexts in which 肅 is appropriate, particularly in formal ceremonies or discussions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 肅 (sù) with 速 (sù), leading to incorrect meanings like 'fast' instead of 'solemn.' Remember that 肅 is about respect and seriousness, not speed.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 肅

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 肅 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 肅

Explanation

Simplified form of 肅. The 𣶒 (deep; profound) component hints at the meaning. The purpose of the 聿 (writing utensil) component is unclear.

Learn more about character formation (六书)

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 肅

Simplified form of 肅. The 𣶒 (deep; profound) component hints at the meaning. The purpose of the 聿 (writing utensil) component is unclear.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 肅? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.

Decomposition of 肅

IDS Structure⿻肀⿰片爿
肅Full Character
=
肀yu4
outer
片pian1
left
爿qiang2
right
Exercise 1 of 3

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 肅?

How to say to pay respects; solemn, reverent in Chinese

“to pay respects; solemn, reverent” in Chinese is肅sù

The character 肅 (sù) conveys a sense of seriousness and respect, often used in contexts involving formality, such as paying respects during ceremonies or expressing solemnity. It reflects a deep reverence and is commonly associated with respectful behavior in both social and cultural situations.

When to use 肅

Be cautious not to confuse 肅 (sù) with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings, such as 速 (sù) meaning 'fast.' This word is more formal and should be used in respectful contexts, such as ceremonies or official communications.

肅 or something close to it

严 (yán) vs 肅 (sù): use 肅 for formal respect and solemnity, while 严 conveys strictness or severity.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 肅 (sù) with 速 (sù), leading to incorrect meanings like 'fast' instead of 'solemn.' Remember that 肅 is about respect and seriousness, not speed.

Write 肅

肅

Practice writing 肅 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 肅

Words Containing This Character20
严肃yánsùsolemn嚴肅
肃静silence肅靜
甘肃Gansu province, abbr. 甘[Gān], short name 隴|陇[Lǒng], capital Lanzhou 蘭州|兰州[Lán​zhōu]甘肅
甘肃省Gansu Province, abbr. 甘[Gān], short name 隴|陇[Lǒng], capital Lanzhou 蘭州|兰州[Lán​zhōu]甘肅省
肃sùsolemn肅
肃清to purge肅清
肃穆serene肅穆
肃然起敬to feel deep veneration for sb (idiom)肅然起敬
整肃strict整肅
肃然respectful肅然
鲁肃Lu Su or Lu Zijing 魯子敬|鲁子敬 (172-217), statesman, diplomat and strategist of Eastern Wu 東吳|东吴魯肅
肃立to stand respectfully肅立
肃反abbr. for 肅清反革命份子|肃清反革命分子肅反
肃杀austere肅殺
肃州Suzhou district of Jiuquan City 酒泉市, Gansu肅州
肃慎ancient ethnic group of northeast frontier of China肅慎
肃州区Suzhou district of Jiuquan City 酒泉市, Gansu肅州區
肃宁Suning county in Cangzhou 滄州|沧州[Cāng​zhōu], Hebei肅寧
唐肃宗Emperor Suzong of Tang (711-762), reign name of eighth Tang emperor Li Heng 李亨[Lǐ​Hēng], reigned 756-762唐肅宗
肃宁县Suning county in Cangzhou 滄州|沧州[Cāng​zhōu], Hebei肅寧縣
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 严肃 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 肅

You can use 肅 in phrases like 肅穆 (sù mù), which means 'solemn and respectful,' often describing a serious atmosphere.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 肅?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.